Recently, I saw this tweet:
“F*CK” – If one more leader refers to people as ‘resources,’ I’m going to lose my mind.”
I’m going to go on record and say something I know will be controversial for some people:
I don’t care if leaders use the word “resource” or the word “people.” However, I care immensely about how leaders treat and think about their people.
I know leaders who have shifted to using “people.” Yet, their approach to managing people is still problematic.
I know other leaders who use the word “resources,” and their approach to managing people is some of the best I’ve observed.
When I want to help things change:
- I avoid divisive stances (like the tweet)
- I assume that the other person spent a long time learning what I’m observing, and they’re doing their best with what they know
- I prioritize changing behaviours
Then, just watch how things start changing.
You’ve got this.
